The city survived the morning rush without the anticipated gridlock and widespread chaos as many commuters adapted to the absence of mass transit _ some by just staying home. The city's streets were unusually quiet.

"It doesn't seem right to tie up the cultural and investment center of the world," said Larry Scarinzi, 72, a retired engineer from New Jersey, waiting for a cab outside Penn Station, the city's busiest commuter hub. "They're breaking the law. They're tearing the heart out of the nation's economy."